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Brookfield Zoo dolphin receiving unique cancer treatment
A 47-year-old dolphin at Brookfield Zoo is receiving a unique cancer treatment.
BROOKFIELD, Ill. - Brookfield Zoo is caring for an aging dolphin with cancer.
He's 500 pounds, mostly muscle, but still the most docile patient when it's time for cancer treatment.
We got a close up look at how the team at Brookfield Zoo performs cryotherapy on the bottlenose dolphin named Lucky. He opens up wide, as his care team uses big swabs to basically freeze the cancer in the back of his mouth.
"There’s several little small spots but they’re not spreading right now. The treatment is seeming to be effective," said Dr. Mike Adkesson, Chicago Zoological Society CEO, Brookfield Zoo Director.
Doctor Adkesson says treating cancer in a pool brings its challenges.
They time each application to let it dry, and Lucky is old enough to know treats and attention are the pay-off. At the age of 47, he's one of the oldest dolphins under human care.
"Even at 47, although he seems old, he could still keep going for quite a while," said Adkesson.
Lucky was in Florida, but was flown to Brookfield Zoo in September where they can offer advanced treatment, and this is where he's going to stay.
At Brookfield Zoo, they have CT scans and ultrasound for an animal this large to make sure the cancer has not spread to the rest of Lucky's body.
"We're very hopeful that with this cryotherapy, we'll be able to keep it under control and be able to continue to provide him some wonderful years down the road," said Adkesson.
While Adkesson is involved in the dolphin's care, he's no longer the head vet for the zoo. He's been named Director of the Zoo and president of the Chicago Zoological Society.
"I'm really excited to hit the ground running and move some wonderful things forward here in the next few years," said Adkesson.
At this zoo that dates back to 1934, he says he'll focus on the guest experience, education, conservation and, of course, animal care.
Adkesson says Lucky's treatment could advance medicine for others animals and hopefully keep this dolphin splashing for years to come.